I have been to many meetings in the last week - planning meetings, study meetings, discussion meetings, even a meditation meeting - with different groups of people. As I have mentioned, our district and chapter are working to have more meaningful meetings. We believe everyone should have an opportunity to speak and we are trying new ways to accomplish that. Most people don't like to be put on the spot, "Bob, what so you think about that?" Then Bob is stuck agreeing or disagreeing when he probably didn't care. But first, let's look at the meetings I attended this week.
Last Sunday we had a district discussion meeting. We had a plan, a somewhat loose plan, but a plan. After chanting, the district leader pulled out something different than the plan and started off. Now, I've been through so much in SGI that this was no problem for me, but the older Japanese women were lost. They had studied for this meeting and now it was different. But we survived and had a good meeting where almost everyone shared their goal for this year.
Tuesday, I went to a sitting meditation meeting with my friend. Two weeks earlier she went to a SGI study meeting with me, so it was my turn to hold up my side of the deal. We went to a church in Los Altos, CA. We were at bit late and the meditation had already started. I sat in a chair, it was so quiet. As I looked around I noticed most of the people were older than me. There were a few in their 30's & 40's, but the majority were over 60. It reminded me of Santa Cruz. Anyway, the object of this meditation was to not think. I tried to concentrate on a dot on a quilt behind the leader. I was not good at this. I longed to go next door to the 12 step program. They were having fun! After 30 minutes of this, the leader started talking - in that monotone, low voice that put me to sleep. The others were eating it up - really into this. She talked about intent before meditating. What do you do to get ready to meditate. I thought that was important for all of us. I'll probably bring that up at a meeting sometime. What I disliked the most was not interacting with the others. OK, I confess, I didn't like being quiet for 90 minutes. It took two days to fully wake up.
Friday it was a WD leaders meeting. Again with the goals. This time it was a list of anything we wanted to accomplish in our lives.
Saturday night I went to a district meeting in another chapter with my district leader. I had seen these members before, but had only met the leaders. I always think our district meetings are uninspiring, but OMG, I now have a huge appreciation for our district. The meeting was poorly planned and no one was prepared. At least 20 minutes consisted of reading out of the Living Buddhism magazine or another publication. I noticed my district leader was looking at the bird, I was, too. Then we started in. There is no better way to shake up a meeting than to have us show up. The members enjoyed the conversation going on between their chapter MD, my district WD leader and me. Actual discussion with dissenting views. We had a good time. I don't think the other district leader liked it, she snapped at me when I thought I was being polite and kind.
Sunday was chapter gosho study. This meeting was well planned - down to the minute. Everything went well including the YD puppet show about a cherry tree. It did go a bit long, but we'll fix that for next time. After the meeting, our group leader asked how the other district meeting went. The district leader kinda smiled and said we wouldn't go back. I bet we get invited back by at least some of the members at that meeting. We know how to liven up a meeting.
Here is what I have learned about meetings in the last week:
Have a good plan
Have goals
Be prepared
Get everyone involved especially young people and new members
Leave time for people to talk
The goals are more important than the plan
Lighten up, it's just a meeting
Don't read, interpret, make it personal
Do something different
After so many meetings, I think the first 3 are very important. The plan shouldn't be fill in the blanks, though. Try something different. Have everyone write something down - a goal or determination or something from the presentation - and then share. The goals can be simple - everyone speaks - or challenging - 3 guests or no one falls asleep. Being prepared means reading the material before the meeting. Practice your presentation, either out loud or in your head. DON"T READ it at the meeting, present it.
Another great idea:
Meet somewhere new - outside, coffee shop, skating rink, bar, museum, special event.
Have any other ideas? Let's talk.
We have been very busy this month. The kids are getting more involved with SGI. They are involved in the district meetings as well as the chapter study meetings. Last night they organized a gathering to figure out what they would present at the chapter study meeting. The adults left them alone to brain storm. They quickly decided on a puppet show based on a book about a cherry tree. When I checked on them, some were making puppets out of lunch bags and others were working on the script. It's not completely done, but they made arrangements to practice at another YD activity next week. It is great to hear all the kids having a good time while working on something and learning at least something about Buddhism.
I am studying Winter Always Turns to Spring for our chapter study meeting at the end of the month. I have 3 different versions of the letter. It's interesting how the translations differ. I like comparing the older version of the SGI gosho to the latest. It took me awhile to figure out why I had never heard of some of these people or writings. I knew them in their original language or Japanese. Now we've translated everything into English. While reading one of the older versions, I realized The Great Concentration of Light is the Maka Shikan. Once I put the two together, it makes since.
I volunteered to do the background for this study meeting. I'm going to research what was happening in the world and in Japan when this letter was written (1275). I always have trouble finding good information. I know it's around here some place. Greg always had great background. I'll have to check out some of these books around the house.
Check out Rev. Greg's site. I put up a few photos.
Finally, 2008 is over. It has been the most challenging year in memory. It has been 7 months since Greg died and almost 6 months since Byrd died. I'm ready to move on.
Monday night I met with two members of my former district. Though I'm a chapter leaders and not supposed to be attached to any district, I still feel a part of Salinas District. We talked openly about the future of the district and the area in which we practice. We are not growing. We noted that no one wants to bring a guest to our meetings and we need to make the changes necessary to fix that. If the members are not inspired, how can we inspire guests. And guests make almost any meeting inspiring? So how are we going to do this?
Practice, study and movement. Two years ago a new member transferred into my district. We chanted every Monday, just the two of us. Then another woman transferred and her friend started coming and then a few other members came. Suddenly we could have 7 or 8 members chanting on Monday nights. That is where we will start - consistent chanting as a district. Even if only 1 or 2 of us attend, we must be persistent.
Next we talked about study. We came up with different ideas, but finally decided to have a book study and we already chose the book. We will open this up to the chapter and then the area members. This first book is by Pres. Ikeda and I asked that the next book be something outside SGI. If you have any suggestions, lay them on me! We also have a chapter study every month based on PI's lectures on selected gosho. This month is "Winter Never Fails to Turn to Spring." I have also joined a women's study group in the San Jose area, so I'll be busy. I really want to study about Buddhism and not only SGI's version. The last year or more of Greg's life he studied everything he could get his hand on. He would talk about this very intense study. This stuff was way over my head, but I listened. I'm not ready to start on the academic literature, but I want to understand Buddhism. I want to help other members understand Buddhism. This year I must study!
Then there is the movement part of the triad. We want to visit other districts and travel to the Silicone Valley Community Center. At least one trip per month. We feel this will inspire us as well as the districts we visit. New or at least different members at a meeting is almost as good as a guest. My hope is that we bring guests along on those visits.
Tuesday night I did something I haven't done in many years. I brought a guest to a meeting. I attended the study meeting in The San Jose area and brought a friend who lives 10 minutes away from the meeting place. She follows a form of meditation Buddhism and won't join SGI, but I think she had a good time and enjoyed the discussion. Six days into the new year I bring a guest to a meeting. I really need to keep this up.
Tonight the Youth Division has a meeting. Both my daughters are going - on their own - no parental promotion. I have been asked to promote a YWD district leader in Salinas District. That means I have to pick between my daughters. One is more of a leader and the other has a better practice. It's a dilemma. I think we have come up with a creative solution. We can appiont one as YWD district leader and the other as chapter YD study leader (or some such title). Both kids like that option.
Happy 2009 from all of us at fraughtwithperil.com!